Origami Interview, with limitations

ABOUT

Inspired by early childhood memories of creating origami with my grandmother, the performance involves crafting a paper crane (a Japanese symbol of hope and peace) using all that is available to me, except my hands. The outcome is a full-body exercise in problem solving and physical specificity that encapsulates the challenges of identifying/connecting with my Japanese-ness while immersed in a culture of white-ness. Meanwhile, I am interrogated with questions about my emotions, my body, and my family. I muster and verbalize responses that feel true in the moment. The performance is finished when the paper crane stands upright on its own. This solo choreography emerges from my Talking with Strangers research.

TEAM

Direction, Choreography and Performance: David Norsworthy

Sound/Text: Monet Marshall

Outside Eye: Mairi Greig

MAJOR FUNDING SUPPORT

We are grateful for the support of the following major funders: North Carolina Arts Council.

BOOKINGS

Origami Interview, with limitations (15-20 minutes) is available for touring in Winter and Spring 2021.

We can offer performances for student and public audiences, plus masterclasses and community workshops.

Presenters with a password may view work-in-progress video here, and/or access our electronic press kit here (coming soon).

For more information, please contact us.

process

• January 2019: Residency at Culture Mill (Saxapahaw, North Carolina, USA)

• November 2019: Residency at the Walter Carsen Centre (Toronto, Canada), through the National Ballet of Canada’s Open Space Program

WIP PERFORMANCES

• February 2019: American Dance Festival’s Samuel Scripps Studios (Durham, North Carolina, USA) as a part of Culture Mill’s 2018-2019 Season

• November 2019: Cawthra Park Secondary School (Mississauga, Canada)

• December 2019: Dixon Place (New York, USA), as a part of Moving Men

• January 2020: St. Johns West Toronto Anglican Church (Toronto, Canada), as a part of In Response

Photos by Kendra Epik.